This past week began the slow process of not being on vacation. I was taking a seminar at Stanford on using multimedia to teach modeling in mathematics (if you need a reminder of the extent of my nerd-ness, I've been really looking forward to this seminar for months, and it was taught by a math-teacher celebrity. Yes, we have those) and that meant commuter-train knitting. I spent one day trying to wrangle my tri-colored shawl, before I gave up and cast on a sock. Of course, then I promptly broke my needle.

handspun; toe-up (more on that below); made-up off-set broken rib

this is why I generally stick to needles that are one piece... but the carbon needles feel so nice in my hands

These socks are probably for me-- they're a handspun Shetland from last year, and even though I'm holding nylon with the yarn at the toe and heel, I'm a little worried they're too softly spun to send out in the wild. We'll see. Anyway, since they're probably for me, I'm experimenting with a blunt toe-- which is better for my particular feet. I think I went too far in the blunt direction with this one, but not so far I'm willing to rip back to the beginning.

Spending the week working meant I didn't get a lot of spinning done, Tour de Fleece not withstanding. I finished the woolen-spun four-ply I'd started for class two weeks ago, and in the process discovered something very disturbing about myself: I love 4-ply. I thought I was safe, because I knew going into this spinning thing that 2-ply sock yarns were my favorite, even if they're not recommended for actual socks; I'm willing to darn more, and knit more, in order to use 2-ply for my socks. And I was vindicated because whether it's a true 3-ply or a chain-ply, I don't really like the aesthetics of 3-ply yarn. So, good, I thought, it'll be easy 2-ply all the way.

Darn you, squishy, dimensional 4-ply.

But why settle for a good thing when there's another thing that takes more than twice the effort? I find myself willing to spin at 80 wraps-per-inch just so I can get a 4-ply fingering. I'm willing to contort myself even more than usual to create a 4-ply. I'm a goner. Stupid, wonderful 4-ply. Yes, I'll still make 2-ply yarn... but I'm going to have to justify it pre-spinning, as it's not nearly as versatile as a 4-ply. Grrr.

In other spinning news, this week for class the homework is cotton (fun! lumpy! no pictures!) and a single for chain-plying.

Abstract Fiber Targhee in "Iris"

Devin's already claimed it for mitts and a hat. She has such faith I can get the yardage I'm going for! I'm enjoying Targhee's characteristic sproing. It's seriously poofy, even on the bobbin.

Glad you enjoyed your week, I've some math geeks who would totally love that kind of thing so I can understand. Grr to the needle but I do love the yarn and it's colour, hope it all works out and they are a good fit.

I knew I liked you when I saw the cartoon about Math teachers! LOL! I can't teach but I was a Computer Science major and math minor so I totally get it and love it!
That is really too bad about the needles...I have Hiya Hiyas that unscrew whenever they feel like it. Your sock yarn is gorgeous and the spinning is something I would love to do someday.....heck, I'd love to raise the sheep and do the whole nine yards but I probably won't. I'm glad you enjoyed your class and your yarns you've spun look "yummy"!

... "why settle for a good thing when there's another thing that takes more than twice the effort?" Yes, this is the kind of thinking that I seem to fall into quite regularly. I guess that's why we make things by hand :)

As for math nerdiness, sometimes I watch YouTube lectures by Sir Roger Penrose when I'm not busy at work. And I really wish I could buy his illustrations!!! Does that count?

You spin very nicely. I didn't know cotton could be spun. That is a pretty colorway for your sock. How cool you railed to Stanford. My husband's an alumni. We've only visited it once while I was preggers with our second. It's a great campus.